Malcom Floyd's career is in jeopardy

The NFL is doing everything in its power to protect defenseless receivers. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to protect San Diego Chargers WR Malcom Floyd.

Floyd lay on the ground Sept. 15 after being crunched by two Philadelphia Eagles while making his fifth reception of the afternoon. Floyd didn’t get up and required a stretcher to be taken off the field.

“[Floyd has] been told the spinal disk issue that he’s dealt with since September is one from which players have come back. But he’s also been told by Dr. Robert Atkins that it potentially can be career ending. Floyd has an appointment in about a month, he said, that is expected to give a better sense for which which it will be.”

The Chargers will have to assume Floyd will not be able to play this season. Floyd will turn 33 years old this fall. If he comes back fully healthy, he’ll be a tremendous boost to the Chargers’ wide receiver corps. Until the team definitively knows of Floyd’s status — which could come in a month — they have to prepare as if he won’t be on the roster during the upcoming season.

Keenan Allen developed into the Chargers No. 1 target and an NFL offensive rookie of the year candidate during Floyd’s absence.

But Allen and Chargers QB Philip Rivers need help from the team’s other wide receivers. After Allen, two of the Chargers’ top three receivers were tight end, Antonio Gates, and the team’s backup running back, Danny Woodhead.

Eddie Royal was the team’s No. 2 receiver, and he finished 415 yards behind Allen. Furthermore, Royal is more of a slot receiver, thus the Chargers may be looking for an outside receiver in free agency or the draft.

Hopefully, Floyd is capable of solving the Chargers’ potential problem at wide receiver. And he plans to return to the team if he’s cleared by doctors.

“I definitely want to play again. I definitely do. I’m getting better steadily, and if my body allows me to play, I’m going to do it. I’m really excited for our team. I want to add some more firepower. … If not, then yeah, I need to hang it up. It won’t do anything positive. It won’t help out me or the team.”